Jake Danna Stevens / Staff Photographer
Kerry Burke of Kingston looks at sunspots using a telescope with a solar filter during First Friday in downtown Scranton. The display was put together by the Lackawanna Astronomical Society.

First Friday brings artists together

BY SARAH SCINTO (STAFF WRITER)Published: July 6, 2013

Art enthusiasts and casual observers alike found something to enjoy at First Friday as the sun set over downtown Scranton, turning a hot day into a pleasant evening.

"I go to First Friday every month," Ryan O'Malley, 18, of Moosic, said as he walked along Spruce Street with a group of friends. "It's different every time we go."

Jean Benfante, 49, started her First Friday evening at Artists for Art Gallery on Lackawanna Avenue, supporting her husband, James Lansing, the curator of the gallery's drawing exhibition. She is a frequent patron of First Friday.

"As an artist, it's nice to see what everyone is doing," Ms. Benfante said. "I learn something new every time."

Mr. Lansing, 55, said being a part of First Friday is his way to support the arts.

"It all starts with the arts," he said. "This gets people into town to talk about art together."

People talked about every exhibit throughout town, from traditional gallery displays to live demonstrations. Artist Julianna Brazill, 27, of Clarks Summit, displayed her drawings at Mission Yoga, interacting with each guest viewing her work.

"There's a lot of art here," she said. "It's like this great little secret."

Some patrons had their portraits drawn on the wall of Exhale Hookah Lounge and Kabob Grill by artist Ted Michalowski during the Drawcore Mural live demonstration.

"He did an awesome job," Mozina Basery, 30, said as she gazed at her finished portrait. "It's amazing how he does it."

"Most artists draw in isolation," he said. "I'm not an isolated kind of guy."

Setting the scene with their own soundtrack were DJs Alexander Lozada, 16, and Chris Wood, 18, known respectively as Sentennial and Neonstorm. People walked in time to the beat or stopped to dance as the music filled the air along Spruce Street.

"It's basically composition," Chris said. "It's just a different kind of art."

Contact the writer: sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT on Twitter

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